The Red Bicycle

nd all that a titled and wealthy gentleman should leave the pleasures of London to take up his residence in a dull place such as Hedgerton truly was. Originally a

on mud were many fishing-smacks, which went out regularly to the harvest of the sea, while river steamers occasionally called to discharge cargoes or to land passengers. Since Hedgerton had been dignified by th

splanade running spaciously from east to west in front of these bungalows, a small bandstand, and a crude hall for public entertainments roofed with galvanised iron. At intervals roads branched at right angles from the esplanade, passing between houses old and new to run finally through woodlands or between the hedges which divided vast meadows from the highway. In spring and summer the country looked very picturesque with the foliage of trees, the blossom of orchards, and the rainbow hue of multitudinous flowers, but the

on of mists and rain, of leafless boughs and ruined orchards. No one was able to give an answer, although it was frequently sugge

ry secluded life and appeared greatly desirous to be left to himself. He saw no one, and when he took his solitary walks he spoke to no one. Even Mr. Craver was denied admi

tradespeople were paid regularly, and she saw no one but Mrs. Vence, who as not inclined to be communicative, and that the house appeared to be as neglected now as it was when Sir Hector first went to live in it. It would seem that the mysterious baronet did not so much live in Maranatha as camp

hy, the name tells you what it is, ma'am. What do Maranatha whisper to you but ruin, which there 'as been, and suicide, which 'appened, and bankruptcy, with the elopement of gels--which we know is common there. No ma'am, say what you like, it'll be

ng. Sir Hector Wyke was a rich man, and a popular man, who had been in the army, and was now a gentleman at large. Edwin ha

e found herself in the minority. All the same, she remained intensely curious, and frequently wondered what mystery lay behind the whole business. She even questioned, in a delicate way, Hall the postman and Jervis the policeman, but was unable to learn anything from either. Hall simply said that he delivered very few letters, which were receive

y, to the Rector, "one-half the world d

yne's either," retorted her husband, whereat she was offended

at Maranatha. About seven o'clock on a foggy November evening Hall was travelling along the esplanade on his red-painted Government bicycle when he alighted to examine his bag. He knew that he had delivered all letters save one, and searched his bag to find the last missive. By the light of the lamp the postman looked

he postman, paus

flashed his bull's-eye on the weather-beaten face of the first spe

roses as you'll smell

time of the year. Now, I'll be bound, Hall, as you're ne

is," said Hall, licking his lips. "I've only got this one lett

r bluffly. "Sir Hector pays his way and keeps him

, and never comes out, an

" said Jervis unexpecte

rap to and fro this

t with a fare in it, when Sankey stopped to ask me where Maranatha was. I gave him the tip as it was in Lady

as the fare?" aske

nit. Why, Mrs. Craver herself has asked questions by the dozen, as you might say. Anyhow,

tones, "so his fare stops all n

whether the fare was a male or

n't 'ad no one to st

to make a start. I just tell you what, Hall, you're gett

live such a que

leases him, as I s'pose

g down to this dull place when the weather's so bad," pe

p to the nines with fine clothes. I touched my helmet but

being a swell and you

e I was to report you to your superior for

me on the esplanade to gossip about what ain't any business of you

ary." said Jervis, lo

ply of the postman; and the two opponents were parted b

ame to the first gate, and the electric torch he carried showed him in black-painted letters "The Firs," but he passed that gate as not being the one he wanted. The second gate he also passed, as it was inscribed "The Elms," and then he walked for quite a long way in the dense gloom to find Maranatha which stood by itself. Finally, he stumbled on the third gate, the inscription of which told him that he had reached his goal when he flashed the electric torch on to the black letters. Hall left his machine leaning against the fence in the dim light of the street lamp--for at this point there was one--and opened the gate to walk slowly up the path between the tangled herbage and under the dripping trees. It cur

the blessed baronite, and what he's up to? Here!"--he raised his voic

t size, carpeted throughout, and furnished with a black oak settle on one side and a small rosewood table on the other, together with a hat-rack and an umbrella-stand. Doors were visible right and left; while beyond were stairs and a narrow passage beside them

door, and the violent exit of the unknown man, and now this ominous silence disconcerted Hall. He had just opened his mouth to call again, when there came the sound of a long, faint sigh, and the

ed, faintly, and with a g

g the letter on the rosewood table, since M

n who r

door and pushed p

Vence screamed.

study, cleaner in looks than was the hall. On the hearthrug before the fire lay a man in evening dress face upward

o bolted. Catch him. Catch him!" She pushed the postman fiercely out of t

path, and through the gate, intending to mount his bicycle and race for Jervis, who could not b

gone off on it," s

ype="